We caught up with our good friend Kike (Gravedad Zero Crew), an awesome Pro Bboy (breakdancer) from Mexico who is also the 2019 Red Bull BC one Mexico Cypher Champ. We talked about his early days, memorable moments and thoughts on the breaking scene, here's what he had to say:

RSJ- Please introduce yourself to the people: Name, crew and city?

 Kike- Yo, yo what up, my name is Bboy Kike from Gravedad Zero Crew, from the city of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon Mexico

RSJ- When and how did you get started breaking/bboying?

Kike-  I've been dancing since December 1999, about 20 years Dancing bboying and in the hip hop scene. In about 1998/99 I saw a few guys in the neighborhood breaking, and since the first time I saw them bboying, (It was the first time I'd seen breaking ever) I was captivated and immediately wanted to do it!

RSJ- Who are/were your major influences in breaking?

Kike- When I started breaking my first influences where ogs here in Monterrey, one of them was Daniel Turo, who is a well respected and recognized bboy here in Mexico, he was one of my biggest influences here in breaking. And now my major influences are many many bboys worldwide, first and foremost members of my crew who are ogs in breakin and continue day by day training and passionate about breaking. And also other really important influences to me are the OGs around the world still breaking, OGs like Ken Swift,Storm, K-Mel, Remind, Stuntman, lots of bboys who are OGs that are still going hard to this day. All those OGs continue being major influences to me til this day.

RSJ- What are some of your most memorable moments in breaking/battling?

Kike-One of the most memorable and significant battles for me, that's had a lot of value for me, was my first international battle against Battlemonkees. Also a battle that I had against bboy Thesis,a battle which helped me a lot. Battles with lots of well known crews like Havikoro and Dynamic Rockers, those are some of the most memorable battles I'ved had to this day. One of most memorable and significant moments for me was judging alongside Ken Swift, and also when I received a recognition award from Romeo Navarro of Bboycity for my contributions to Hip Hop. Those were some really memorable moments for me that I will never forget. And last but not least this year it was major surprise, but I won the Mexico RedBullBC One Cypher and got the opportunity to represent my country in India for the finals. That too was something really memorable for me and means so much to me.

RSJ- When was your crew created and how did you join?

Kike-  My crew was founded in 1999/2000, by bboy Mondo, Mondo Trujillo (Sending him a Big Hug and shout out!), by him, Andy, Goz and Paulo. They were the first generation of the crew, which was formed in their neighborhood of Zona Azul of Monterrey around that time. I got in the crew in part by one of my mentors and influences, Bboy Taquero, he was of the second generation. He later stepped away from breaking and I stayed in his place, that is how I got in the crew. 

RSJ- What are your thoughts on the breaking scene in Mexico and worldwide?

Kike- In Mexico I think its grown so much, and there has been a strong advancement in the last few years. There are lots of new generations that are up and coming, with so much hunger. I think that has helped us a lot to put the nation's (Mexico) name on the highest levels. They are so hungry and putting in their all, and real supportive, that has helped a lot. I still think there are things we need to work on, like more unity to help us have a bigger impact on the world scale like the US, EU, and ASIA. The worldwide scene is great, it's growing day by day, progressing everyday. This last trip I had to India really showed and proved to me how much it's grown worldwide. My only advice for all the bboys/bgirls worldwide is to teach the younger generations and instill in them the true essence of hip hop, don't wait until these kids are 30 years old to explain to them or teach them the true knowledge of Hip Hop. 

RSJ- Where do you see breaking going into the future?

Kike- 15 years ago I never would have imagined that breaking would be where it is now. Theres so much support and many international events, I can't imagine where it will be in the next 15 years. But I'd like to believe that in the future there will be much more support for bboys as artists worldwide. I think that in the future bboys wont have as much trouble getting support internationally, regardless of where they are from. I think there will be a time where regardless if you're from a poor or rich nation, that bboys that give it 100% will have plenty of opportunities to maximize travel, compete, organize big events and make a decent living doing this. We won't have to be from Europe, or be from America, it won't matter where you're from, I think in the future if keep going on the path we're on we will be able to live off of breaking. And we will have support from governments, institutions and companies, thats where I see breaking going into the future.

RSJ- What advice would you give to someone just starting out in breaking and or Hip Hop?

Kike- My advice that I would give to someone that is just starting in breaking or hip hop, are things that I've lived, nothing will be easy. First and foremost you must make the decision that you really want to do this, and that you are willing to dedicate yourself to this. When you make the decision that you want this in your life, you have to give your all to it, your mind, body and soul. Because this is a discipline and it is a badass culture, but it takes sacrifice, dedication, discipline and strength. It is also very important to inform yourself extensively, inform yourself how it works, what it's about, information is very important, find out what it really is all about. Then give it your all, be passionate, give it time, and discipline...Discipline is very very important if you want to be succesful in breaking.  

RSJ- Shout outs and Last words? And where can people find you on the web?

Kike- Big thank you to @Qreuswon for the interview, thank you for the opportunity and for taking the time to do this. Big shout out and hug! Big shout out to United B Boys and all the bboys/bgirls worldwide! Go check out the Realstreetjams website, we should all support each other's platforms so that we can all help each other grow! We are all in this together!

I hope that this interview helps someone starting out or anyone in the scene to be succesful, big shout out from your boy Kike from Gravedad Zero Crew from Monterrey Mexico! For anyone that wants to get in touch with me, ask questions or just talk you can find me on Facebook at: Kike Gonzalez, on Instagram at: KikeGZ_86 or on my crew FB page at: Academia Gravedad Zero. I wish everyone much success, love and peace!

Realstreetjams would like to give a huge thank you to Kike for letting us interview him! Much love and blessings!